GPSJ - SPRING 2025 - Flipbook - Page 5
NEWS
GPSJ
New report calls for overhaul of funding
models to drive telecare take-up in support of
10-Year Health Plan goals
Tunstall whitepaper draws on
international best practice to
evidence paths to health and
care integration underpinned
by proactive care.
As health and care in the UK
face a de昀椀ning moment under
the Labour Government, a new
report from Tunstall is calling
on policymakers to learn from
international approaches to move
from crisis-driven to proactive and
preventative care models. With
the NHS 10-year Health Plan due
to be launched imminently, there
is an urgent need for patientcentred solutions which support
the needs of an aging population
whilst delivering savings across
the stretched health and care
landscape.
Technology promotes
independent living, modernises
care delivery, reduces hospital
reliance and 昀椀rst response
burdens and bene昀椀ts both
individuals and caregivers.
Independent research studies
show that £4,500 per person is
avoided in other social care costs
annually, thanks to telecare use[1].
This new report highlights that
the scale of potential savings
could be signi昀椀cantly increased
with reform to funding, and the
integration of health and care to
prioritise preventative solutions, as
has been e昀昀ectively introduced in
Spain.
The Spanish model sees
central funding provided for
proactive services, which shifts
the focus from crisis-driven
responses to preventative
interventions. By building in risk
identi昀椀cation, tailoring of telecare
solutions and leveraging data,
bene昀椀ts are accrued to health
and care settings, as well as to
both individuals receiving care
and caregivers. The move to
proactive and telecare in Spain
has contributed to 54% fewer
emergency calls, a 36% reduction
in ambulance mobilisations
and a further 8.6 more months
of independent living at home
realising signi昀椀cant bene昀椀ts for the
country.
Meanwhile, while UK health
and care budgets continue to
grow year on year in real terms,
costs are increasing faster than
spending at a time when ageing
populations have increasingly
complex needs. Current UK
funding models prevent health and
care systems from realising the
bene昀椀ts from a more integrated
and proactive approach. Despite
progress with the pooling of funds
through Integrated Care Boards
(ICBs), certain funding streams
remain distinct, complicating
e昀昀orts to fully integrate initiatives.
By reducing duplication,
enhancing preventive care, and
addressing chronic conditions
early, integration lowers overall
costs.
To access these bene昀椀ts, the
report sets out how the 10-Year
Plan could provide targeted
funding consideration by the
NHS, via ICBs, to support local
authorities. The report also
highlights what UK policymakers
can learn from other countries in
addition to Spain including France,
Germany and Finland where steps
towards greater health and care
integration are bene昀椀tting their
healthcare systems.
World-first wearable diabetes monitor being
developed with EU funding boost
Afon Technology Ltd is working
on a world-昀椀rst wearable noninvasive blood glucose sensor,
which measures levels in realtime – eliminating the need
for frequent and painful 昀椀nger
pricking.
The Caldicot-based business
received more than £2million in
funding from Horizon Europe – the
EU’s 昀氀agship £80 billion research
and innovation programme – to
fast track the development of its
pioneering breakthrough.
Called Glucowear, the sensor is
worn on the wrist and uses ultralow power microwave signals to
monitor glucose levels.
Afon Technology Ltd is one of
more than 20 businesses in Wales
to have bene昀椀ted from the Horizon
Europe scheme after the Welsh
Government lobbied for continued
involvement post Brexit.
Sabih Chaudhry, the CEO of
Afon Technology Ltd said:
“From our small o昀케ce and
laboratory in Wales, our skilled
team is pursuing the holy grail
of glucose monitoring—a
breakthrough with the potential to
change the world.
“The Horizon funding scheme
has been instrumental in
accelerating the development of
our groundbreaking technology.
We were thrilled to receive
€2.4 million from the European
Innovation Council, allowing us
to drive our innovation toward
commercialisation and, ultimately,
improve the lives of those living
with diabetes.”
The Horizon Europe 2025
funding programme is now
available online and the Welsh
Government is encouraging
Wales-based researchers and
innovators to develop submissions
for the programme, which is being
run by the European Commission
until 2027.
Grant support is available
to businesses to stimulate
participation in Horizon Europe via
Agile Cymru.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy,
Energy and Planning, Rebecca
Evans said:
“Horizon Europe funding is
pivotal for researchers, innovators,
and businesses in pushing the
boundaries of science and tackling
critical challenges such as climate
change, medical treatment, and
industrial competitiveness in new
technologies.
“I urge organisations in Wales
to take advantage of the UK’s
Associate Country status under
the programme in 2025 so
that we build on our reputation
as a magnet for international
collaboration, investment and
excellence.”
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL SPRING 2025
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